Capacitive Touch Sensor with Non-Crossing Conductive Line Pattern

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for interactive objects including conductive lines are provided. An interactive object may comprise a capacitive touch sensor comprising two or more non-crossing conductive lines that form at least a first conductive line pattern. The first conductive line pattern may comprise a first, second, and third sequence of the two or more non-crossing conductive lines relative to a respective first, second, and third input direction. The interactive object may be configured to detect touch input to the capacitive touch sensor based on a change in capacitance associated with the two or more non-crossing conductive lines, identify at least one of the first, second, or third line sequence based on the touch input to the capacitive touch sensor, and determine a respective gesture corresponding to the first, second, or third sequence of two or more non-crossing conductive lines.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to interactive objects thatinclude touch sensors.

BACKGROUND

An interactive object includes conductive lines such as conductivethreads incorporated into the interactive object to form a sensor suchas a capacitive touch sensor that is configured to detect touch input.The interactive object can process the touch input to generate touchdata that is useable to initiate functionality locally at theinteractive object or at various remote devices that are wirelesslycoupled to the interactive object. Interactive objects may includeconductive lines for other purposes, such as for strain sensors usingconductive threads and for visual interfaces using line optics.

An interactive object may be formed by forming a grid or array ofconductive thread woven into an interactive textile, for example. Eachconductive thread can include a conductive wire (e.g., a copper wire)that is twisted, braided, or wrapped with one or more flexible threads(e.g., polyester or cotton threads). It may be difficult, however, fortraditional sensor designs with such conductive lines to detect asufficient number of distinguishable inputs to provide a useful device.In order to detect complex and/or a larger number of inputs, complexarray designs have traditionally been required.

SUMMARY

Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will beset forth in part in the following description, or may be learned fromthe description, or may be learned through practice of the embodiments.

One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a computingsystem including a capacitive touch sensor. The capacitive touch sensorincludes two or more non-crossing conductive lines that form at least afirst conductive line pattern at at least a first area of the capacitivetouch sensor. The first conductive line pattern includes a first linesequence of the two or more non-crossing conductive lines relative to afirst input direction, a second line sequence of the two or morenon-crossing conductive lines relative to a second input direction, anda third line sequence of the two or more non-crossing conductive linesrelative to a third input direction. The computing system includes oneor more computer-readable media that store instructions that, whenexecuted by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors toperform operations. The operations include obtaining touch dataindicative of a touch input to the capacitive touch sensor. The touchdata is based at least in part on a change in capacitance associatedwith the two or more non-crossing conductive lines. The operationsinclude identifying at least one of the first line sequence, the secondline sequence, or the third line sequence based on the touch data. Theoperations include determining a respective gesture corresponding to atleast one of the first line sequence, the second line sequence, or thethird line sequence.

Another example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to acomputer-implemented method of determining a user gesture. The methodincludes obtaining, by one or more computing devices, data indicative ofa touch input to a capacitive touch sensor. The capacitive touch sensorincludes two or more non-crossing conductive lines forming at least afirst line sequence, a second line sequence, and a third line sequenceat a first area of the capacitive touch sensor. The method includescomparing, by the one or more computing devices, the data indicative ofthe touch input with reference data corresponding to the first linesequence, the second line sequence, and the third line sequence. Themethod includes detecting, by the one or more computing devices, acorrespondence between the touch input and at least one of the firstline sequence, the second line sequence, or the third line sequencebased on comparing the data indicative of the touch input with thereference data. The method includes identifying, by the one or morecomputing devices, a respective gesture corresponding to the at leastone of the first line sequence, the second line sequence, or the thirdline sequence based on detecting the correspondence. The method includesinitiating, by the one or more computing devices, one or more actionsbased at least in part on the respective gesture.

Yet another example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to acomputing device. The computing device includes one or more processors.The computing device includes one or more communication interfacescommunicatively coupled to at least one capacitive touch sensor. The atleast one capacitive touch sensor includes two or more non-crossingconductive lines. The two or more non-crossing conductive lines form atleast a first line sequence, a second line sequence, and a third linesequence at a first area of the at least one capacitive touch sensor.The computing device includes one or more computer-readable media thatstore instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors,cause the one or more processors to perform operations. The operationsinclude detecting touch input to the capacitive touch sensor based on achange in capacitance associated with the two or more non-crossingconductive lines. The operations include identifying at least one of thefirst line sequence, the second line sequence, or the third linesequence in response to the touch input to the capacitive touch sensor.The operations include determining a respective gesture corresponding toat least one of the first line sequence, the second line sequence, orthe third line sequence. The operations include initiating one or moreactions based at least in part on the respective gesture.

Other example aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems,methods, interactive objects, textiles, apparatuses, tangible,non-transitory computer-readable media, and memory devices fordetermining a user gesture.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of various embodimentswill become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the present disclosure and, together with thedescription, serve to explain the related principles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Detailed discussion of embodiments directed to one of ordinary skill inthe art are set forth in the specification, which makes reference to theappended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of an example computing environmentincluding an interactive object including a capacitive touch sensor inaccordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of an example system that includes aninteractive object and a removable electronics module in accordance withexample embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts an example of a conductive line integrated with aninteractive textile in accordance with example embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4 depicts an example of a conductive line pattern includingnon-crossing conductive lines in accordance with example embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts another example of a conductive line pattern includingnon-crossing conductive lines in accordance with example embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts an example of a capacitive touch sensor includingnon-crossing conductive lines configured to detect gestures in multipleinput directions in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7a depicts an example gesture applied to a capacitive touch sensorin accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7b depicts an example gesture applied in a general direction acrosscapacitive touch sensor in accordance with example embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts another example of a capacitive touch sensor includingnon-crossing conductive lines that configured to detect gestures inmultiple input directions in accordance with example embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 9 depicts an example computing system configured to detect touchinput to a capacitive touch sensor in accordance with exampleembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 depicts a flowchart depicting an example method of determining auser gesture in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 11 depicts a flowchart depicting an example method of manufacturingan interactive textile in accordance with example embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 12 depicts a block diagram of an example computing system that canbe used to implement any type of computing device as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments, one or moreexamples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example isprovided by way of explanation of the embodiments, not limitation of thepresent disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various modifications and variations can be made to theembodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the presentdisclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part ofone embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that aspects of the presentdisclosure cover such modifications and variations.

Generally, the present disclosure is directed to a capacitive touchsensor that includes a set of non-crossing conductive lines that enablethe detection of user inputs in different directions. The non-crossinglines form a conductive line pattern where the non-crossing lines extendin one or more directions without overlapping. In this manner, a simplesensor array can be fabricated that is not grid-based, but that enablesthe detection of touch inputs in different directions such that gestureswith directional components in multiple dimensions can be identified.The capacitive touch sensor can include non-crossing conductive linesthat form a first conductive line pattern at at least a first area ofthe touch input sensor. The first conductive line pattern at the firstarea of the touch input sensor can include a first line sequence of theconductive lines relative to a first input direction, a second linesequence of the conductive lines relative to a second input direction,and a third line sequence of the conductive lines relative to a thirdinput direction. The conductive line pattern may define additionalsequences relative to additional input directions. Each line sequencecan include a particular order and/or number of the non-crossing lines.In some examples, each sequence can include a particular spacing ordistance between the non-crossing lines. For example, each line sequencecan include a distinct order of lines, number of lines, and/or spacingbetween one or more lines in the sequence, etc.

According to some implementations, an interactive object comprising acapacitive touch sensor can detect multi-dimensional touch input to aset of non-crossing conductive lines forming the capacitive touchsensor. The interactive object can identify at least a portion of asequence of the non-crossing lines based on the touch input anddetermine a respective gesture corresponding to the identified linesequence. For example, each line sequence can be associated with arespective gesture. In this manner, a particular one of a plurality ofuser gestures (e.g., in multiple dimensions) can be determined based onidentifying a corresponding one of a plurality of different linesequences in response to a touch input.

Any type of conductive line can be used in accordance with exampleembodiments of the present disclosure. By way of example, a conductiveline can include a conductive thread, conductive fiber, fiber opticfilaments, flexible metal lines, etc. A conductive thread of aninteractive textile may include a conductive core that includes at leastone conductive wire and a cover layer constructed from flexible threadsthat cover the conductive core. The conductive core may be formed bytwisting one or more flexible threads (e.g., silk threads, polyesterthreads, or cotton threads) with the conductive wire, or by wrappingflexible threads around the conductive wire. In some implementations,the conductive core may be formed by braiding the conductive wire withflexible threads (e.g., silk). The cover layer may be formed by wrappingor braiding flexible threads around the conductive core. In someimplementations, the conductive thread is implemented with a“double-braided” structure in which the conductive core is formed bybraiding flexible threads with a conductive wire, and then braidingflexible threads around the braided conductive core. Other types ofconductive lines may be used in accordance with embodiments of thedisclosed technology. For example, a conductive line can be used totransmit and/or emit light, such as in line optic applications. Althoughmany examples are provided with respect to conductive threads, it willbe appreciated that any type of conductive line can be used with thecapacitive touch sensor according to example embodiments.

According to example embodiments, the interactive object can include acapacitive touch sensor configured to receive touch input from one ormore users. The capacitive touch sensor can include two or morenon-crossing conductive lines that form at least a first pattern at anarea of the capacitive touch sensor. The first pattern can include anysuitable pattern of lines that are formed in a non-crossing manner. Forexample, the non-crossing lines can form a conductive line patternwithout intersecting, touching, or crossing underneath or over oneanother at the area of the capacitive touch sensor. In this manner, thecapacitive touch sensor can be formed with a simplified architecturewhile enabling the detection of inputs in multiple directions. Such anarchitecture can lower the cost of producing capacitive touch sensorsthat utilize conductive lines while, at the same time, increasing theefficiency and lowering the space requirements of capacitive touchsensors. For instance, capacitive touch sensors with crossing conductivelines may utilize insulation to decrease interference among the one ormore crossing lines. Additionally, such crossing architectures mayutilize an increased number of lines as well as an increased number ofcircuitry connections to enable the detection of inputs in multipledirections. By including a capacitive touch sensor with two or morenon-crossing lines, example embodiments in accordance with the presentdisclosure can provide a simplified sensor architecture capable ofmulti-dimensional input detection that typically requires more complexarchitectures.

In accordance with some implementations, two or more non-crossingconductive lines can be configured as a conductive line pattern at anarea of the capacitive touch sensor. The two or more non-crossing linescan extend parallel to one another along a longitudinal axis defined bythe capacitive touch sensor at a first portion of the capacitive touchsensor. In addition, the two or more non-crossing conductive lines canextend parallel to one another along a lateral axis defined by thecapacitive touch sensor to form a second portion of the capacitive touchsensor at the area. A touch input applied at the area of the capacitivetouch sensor can generate touch data that can be used to discriminatemultiple gestures provided in different dimensions. For example, swipeinputs across the conductive line pattern in opposite first and seconddirections can be identified. For example, the first direction maygenerally be left to right along the lateral axis. The second directionmay generally be right to left along the lateral axis. Additionally,swipe inputs across the conductive line pattern in opposite third andfourth directions can be identified. The third and fourth directions canbe orthogonal to the first and second direction. For example, the thirddirection may generally be downward along the longitudinal axis. Thefourth direction may generally be upward along the longitudinal axis. Acapacitive touch sensor in accordance with example embodiments may beable to identify fewer or additional gestures than those described. Acapacitive touch sensor as described including non-crossing conductivelines may form an array that can be used to detect various gestureinputs, authentication inputs, predefined keystrokes, movements,user-specific natural behaviors and the like. One or moremachine-learned models may be used to detect user inputs based ontraining the machine-learned models using training data. Additionally,the touch sensor may be configured to detect analog and pseudo-forceinputs from a capacitive change caused by a finger distance.

According to some example embodiments, the conductive line patternformed by the two or more non-crossing conductive lines can form aserpentine pattern at a first area of the capacitive touch sensor. Byway of example, the two or more non-crossing lines can extend inparallel along a longitudinal axis at a first portion of the capacitivetouch sensor. The two or more non-crossing lines may extend in parallelalong a lateral axis at a second portion of the capacitive touch sensor.Each conductive line can be formed continuously from the first portionto the second portion. The two or more non-crossing lines may extend inparallel along the longitudinal axis at a third portion of thecapacitive touch sensor. Each conductive line can be formed continuouslyfrom the second portion to the third portion. At the first area, the twoor more non-crossing lines can define a first line sequence relative toa first input direction corresponding to the lateral axis and a secondline sequence relative to a second input direction corresponding to thelateral axis. The first input direction and the second input directioncan be opposite directions along the lateral axis in exampleembodiments. At the first area, the two or more non-crossing lines canalso define a third line sequence relative to a third input directioncorresponding to the longitudinal axis and a fourth line sequencerelative to a fourth input direction corresponding to the longitudinalaxis. The third input direction and the fourth input direction can beopposite directions along the longitudinal axis in example embodiments.The third input direction and the fourth input direction can beorthogonal to the first input direction and the second input directionin example embodiments.

In some examples, the conductive line pattern formed by the two or morenon-crossing conductive lines can form a series of partial ellipses. Byway of example, the two or more non-crossing conductive lines can format least one outer ellipse and at least one inner ellipse (e.g., insidethe outer ellipse) without crossing. For example, the inner ellipse canextend within the outer ellipse. In addition, or alternatively, theinner ellipse can extend uniformly off centered such that the spacebetween each of the non-crossing conductive lines varies depending onthe direction across the conductive line pattern.

Each sequence of lines (also referred to as a line sequence) can includeone or more sequence features. The one or more sequence features caninclude features such as, for example, a particular order ofnon-crossing conductive lines, a particular number of non-crossingconductive lines, one or more distances between two or more non-crossingconductive lines, etc. For example, the one or more of the sequencefeatures can include a particular order of non-crossing conductive linesin the set of non-crossing lines forming the capacitive touch sensor.For example, the sequence features can include a particular order of thenon-crossing conductive lines at a given portion of the conductive linepattern corresponding to the particular sequence. For instance, eachline sequence can include at least one order of non-crossing conductivelines in a particular direction across the conductive line pattern. Inan example embodiment, each line sequence can include a different orderof non-crossing conductive lines forming the conductive line pattern.For example, the order of non-crossing conductive lines can be relativeto a direction across the capacitive touch sensor. In this manner, in anexample embodiment, the particular line sequence can be utilized toidentify a particular direction.

Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more sequence features for aparticular line sequence can include one or more distances associatedwith the conductive line pattern. For example, the one or more distancescan include a spacing between two or more non-crossing conductive linesat a given portion of the conductive line pattern corresponding to theparticular sequence. For example, the conductive line pattern caninclude different distances between non-crossing conductive lines atportions of the capacitive touch sensor corresponding to differentconductive line sequences. By way of example, a first portion of theconductive line pattern corresponding to a first line sequence can havea different spacing between non-crossing conductive lines than a secondportion of the conductive line pattern corresponding to a second linesequence. For instance, the non-crossing conductive lines forming thefirst portion of the conductive line pattern can be spaced apart a firstdistance and the non-crossing conductive lines forming the secondportion of the conductive line pattern can be spaced apart a seconddistance. In an example embodiment, each line sequence can include atleast two non-crossing conductive lines and a distance between the twoor more conductive lines. In addition, or alternatively, each linesequence can include a particular order of two or more non-crossinglines and a distance between each of the two or more non-crossing linesin the particular order.

In addition, or alternatively, the one or more sequence features for aparticular line sequence can include a particular number of non-crossingconductive lines in the set of non-crossing conductive lines forming theconductive line pattern. For instance, the sequence features can includea particular number of non-crossing conductive lines at a given portionof the conductive line pattern corresponding to the particular sequence.By way of example, the conductive line pattern can include a differentnumber of non-crossing conductive lines in one or more portions of thecapacitive touch sensor. For example, each line sequence can include adifferent number of non-crossing conductive lines in the set ofnon-crossing conductive lines forming the conductive line pattern. Forinstance, in an example embodiment, each line sequence can include aparticular number of conductive lines, a particular order of theparticular number of conductive lines, and a spacing between each of thenumber of conductive lines.

In an example embodiment, the non-crossing conductive lines can form aconductive line pattern including at least a first sequence of thenon-crossing conductive lines relative to a first input direction. Thefirst sequence of the non-crossing conductive lines can extend in adirection orthogonal to the first input direction. By way of example,first input direction can intersect, at least in part, the firstsequence of non-crossing conductive lines. The conductive line patterncan include at least a second sequence of the non-crossing conductivelines relative to a second input direction. In an example embodiment,the second sequence of the non-crossing conductive lines can extend in adirection orthogonal to the second input direction. By way of example,the second input direction can intersect, at least in part, the secondsequence of non-crossing conductive lines.

In an example embodiment, the first input direction and the second inputdirection can be opposite directions along a common axis. For example,the non-crossing conductive lines of the capacitive touch sensor candefine a lateral and a longitudinal axis corresponding to the conductiveline pattern. In an example embodiment, the first line sequence and thesecond sequence of lines can each include a sequence of lines along thelateral axis of the conductive line pattern. By way of example, theconductive line pattern can include a first sequence of lines relativeto a first input direction in a first lateral direction along thecapacitive touch sensor. Additionally, or alternatively, the conductiveline pattern can include a second line sequence relative to a secondinput direction in a second lateral direction (e.g., opposite to thefirst lateral direction) along the capacitive touch sensor. In thismanner, the conductive line pattern can include at least one linesequence relative to each direction along a first (e.g., lateral)dimension.

The conductive line pattern can include at least a third sequence of thenon-crossing conductive lines relative to a third input direction. In anexample embodiment, the third sequence of the non-crossing conductivelines can extend in a direction orthogonal to the third input direction.By way of example, the third input direction can intersect, at least inpart, the third sequence of the non-crossing conductive lines. Inaddition, or alternatively, the non-crossing conductive lines can form aconductive line pattern including at least a fourth sequence of thenon-crossing conductive lines relative to a fourth input direction. Inan example embodiment, the fourth sequence of the non-crossingconductive lines can extend in a direction orthogonal to the fourthinput direction. By way of example, the fourth input direction canintersect, at least in part, the fourth sequence of the non-crossingconductive lines.

In an example embodiment, the third input direction and the fourth inputdirection can be opposite directions along a common axis. For example,the third line sequence and the fourth line sequence can be definedrelative to the longitudinal axis. The conductive line pattern caninclude a third line sequence relative to a third input direction in afirst longitudinal direction. Additionally, or alternatively, theconductive line pattern can include a fourth line sequence relative to afourth input direction in a second longitudinal direction (e.g.,opposite to the first longitudinal direction). The third input direction(e.g., a longitudinal direction) can be orthogonal to the first inputdirection and the second input direction (e.g., a lateral direction). Inthis manner, the conductive line pattern can include at least one linesequence relative to each direction along a second (e.g., longitudinal)dimension.

The conductive line pattern can include any number of sequences of linesin any number of portions of the capacitive touch sensor. For example,the conductive line pattern can include one or more line sequences inaddition to the first, second, third, and fourth line sequences. By wayof example, the conductive line pattern can include at least a fifthand/or sixth line sequence. For example, conductive line pattern caninclude a fifth line sequence relative to a fifth input direction. Thefifth input direction can be between the first and third inputdirections. In addition, or alternatively, the conductive line patterncan include a sixth line sequence relative to a sixth input direction.The fifth and sixth input directions can be opposite directions along acommon axis.

According to example embodiments, the interactive object and/or one ormore computing devices in communication with the interactive object candetect a user gesture based at least in part on input to the capacitivetouch sensor. For example, the interactive object and/or the one or morecomputing devices can implement a gesture manager that can identify oneor more gestures in response to touch input to the capacitive touchsensor. According to some example implementations, an interactive objectincluding a capacitive touch sensor can include an internal electronicsmodule that is integrated into the interactive object (e.g., garment,garment accessory, hard object, etc.). The capacitive touch sensor canbe directly attached to the internal electronics module or can beattached to the internal electronics module via one or more connectorcomponents. The internal electronics module can include electroniccomponents, such as sensing circuitry configured to detect touch inputto the conductive lines. The internal electronics module can include oneor more drivers and can provide power and/or control signals to theconductive lines. The internal electronics module may not include anon-board power source in some embodiments. A removable electronicsmodule can supply power to the internal electronics module. The sensingcircuitry in some examples comprises a controller that is configured todetect a touch input when user pressure is applied to the conductivelines, for example. The internal electronics module can be configured tocommunicate the touch input data to a computing device such as aremovable electronics module or one or more remote computing devices. Insome examples, the controller comprises a flexible printed circuit board(PCB) including a microprocessor. The printed circuit board can includea set of contact pads for attaching to the conductive lines.

In some embodiments, a removable electronics module includes a secondsubset of electronic components (e.g., a microprocessor, power source,or network interface). The removable electronics module can be removablycoupled to the interactive object via a communication interface. Thecommunication interface enables communication between the internalelectronics module and the removable electronics module when theremovable electronics module is coupled to the interactive object. Inexample embodiments, the removable electronics module can be removablymounted to a rigid member on the interactive object. A connector caninclude a connecting device for physically and electrically coupling tothe removable electronics module. The internal electronics module can bein communication with the connector. The internal electronics module canbe configured to communicate with the removable electronics module whenconnected to the connector. A controller of the removable electronicsmodule can receive information and send commands to the internalelectronics module. A communication interface is configured to enablecommunication between the internal electronics module and the controllerwhen the connector is coupled to the removable electronics module. Forexample, the communication interface may comprise a network interfaceintegral with the removable electronics module. The removableelectronics module can also include a rechargeable power source. Theremovable electronics module can be removable from the interactive cordfor charging the power source. Once the power source is charged, theremovable electronics module can then be placed back into theinteractive cord and electrically coupled to the connector.

The interactive object can detect touch input to the capacitive touchsensor based on a change of capacitance associated with the two or morenon-crossing conductive lines. For example, a user can activate one ormore of the two or more non-crossing conductive lines by moving anobject (e.g., finger, conductive stylus, etc.) across the capacitivetouch sensor. By way of example, the capacitance associated with each ofthe two or more non-crossing conductive lines can change when touched bya user. The interactive object can generate data indicative of one ormore activations (e.g., changes in capacitance) associated with the atleast one of the non-crossing conductive lines forming the conductiveline pattern.

In an example embodiment, sensing circuitry of the internal electronicsmodule can generate touch data in response to touch input. The touchdata can include data indicative of a line that was touched andoptionally a time associated with the touch. The touch data may indicatea capacitance level associated with the touch. Data indicative of one ormore touch input features may be included with or determined from thetouch data. The one or more touch input features can include, forexample, an order of non-crossing conductive lines, a number ofnon-crossing conductive lines, or one or more times corresponding to oneor more of the non-crossing conductive lines. For example, each of theone or more touch input features can correspond to a particular touchinput at a given portion of the capacitive touch sensor at a given time.By way of example, the one or more times corresponding to one or more ofthe non-crossing conductive lines can include a time stamp, and/or atime period associated with a change in capacitance of a particularconductive line. In addition, or alternatively, the one or more timescan correspond to one or more time periods in between a change incapacitance of two particular conductive lines.

The interactive object (e.g., the internal electronics module and/or theremovable electronics module) and/or one or more computing devices incommunication with the interactive object can be configured to analyzethe touch data to identify one or more touch input features associatedwith the touch input. For example, an order in which the two or morenon-crossing conductive lines are activated can be determined from thetouch data. In addition, or alternatively, one or more timescorresponding to a touch to one or more of the non-crossing conductivelines can be determined. The one or more times can correspond to aperiod of time in between a change in capacitance associated with thetwo or more non-crossing conductive lines during the touch input to thecapacitive touch sensor. In an example embodiment, each of the one ormore time periods can correspond to a respective distance between the atleast one conductive line. In this manner, at least one of a number ofactivated lines, an order of activated lines, or a distance between atleast one of the activated lines can be determined.

The interactive object and/or a computing device in communication withthe interactive object can identify at least one line sequence based onthe touch input. In an example embodiment, at least one line sequencecan be identified based on a number of activations, an order ofactivations, and/or a determined distance between activations. Forexample, at least one of the first line sequence, the second linesequence, or the third line sequence can be identified based on thetouch input to the capacitive touch sensor. By way of example, the linesequence can include at least a portion of the first line sequence, thesecond line sequence, or the third line sequence.

The interactive object and/or a computing device in communication withthe interactive object can identify at least one line sequence based atleast in part on reference data. For example, the reference data caninclude data indicative of one or more sequence features correspondingto at least one line sequence. The reference data can be stored in areference database in association with one or more sequences of lines.In addition, or alternatively, the reference database can include dataindicative of one or more gestures corresponding to each of the one ormore sequences of lines. The reference database can be stored on theinteractive object (e.g., in memory on the capacitive touch sensor, thecontroller, or both) and/or remote from the interactive object on one ormore remote computing devices.

The interactive object and/or a computing device in communication withthe interactive object can compare the touch data indicative of thetouch input with the reference data corresponding to at least one linesequence. For example, the interactive object and/or a computing devicein communication with the interactive object can compare touch inputfeatures of the touch input to the reference data indicative of one ormore sequence features. By way of example, the touch input features canbe compared against sequence features stored in the reference databaseto determine a correspondence between the touch data and one or moresequences of lines.

The interactive object and/or a computing device in communication withthe interactive object can detect a correspondence between the touchinput and at least one line sequence (e.g., the first line sequence, thesecond line sequence, or the third line sequence). For example, one ormore corresponding features between the touch data indicative of thetouch input and at least one of the line sequence (e.g., the first,second, or third sequences of lines) can be identified. By way ofexample, corresponding features can include at least one touch inputfeature and at least one sequence feature that meet a matching criteria.A similarity between a touch data indicative of the touch input and arespective line sequence can be determined. For example, the similaritybetween the touch input and the respective line sequence can bedetermined based on a number of corresponding features identified fromthe touch input features associated with the touch input and therespective sequence features. In some examples, a correspondence betweenthe touch data indicative of the touch input and a line sequence can bedetected based on a respective line sequence associated with the largestnumber of corresponding features.

The interactive object and/or a computing device in communication withthe interactive object can determine a respective gesture correspondingto a line sequence identified in response to a touch input. By way ofexample, an identifier for each line sequence can be stored in areference database with an identification of a respective gesture. Forexample, a gesture corresponding to a detected line sequence can beidentified.

In an example embodiment, touch data indicative of a touch input can beinput into a machine learned gesture model configured to output adetection of at least one gesture corresponding to a detection of atleast one line sequence. The machine learned gesture model may generatedata indicative of input features in order to identify a line sequenceand output a gesture detection based on the touch data. The machinelearned gesture model can be trained, via one or more machine learningtechniques, using the reference data as one or more constraints. Forexample, the machine learned gesture model can be trained to detectparticular gestures based on the physical constraints of the capacitivetouch sensor. The physical constraints may identify the order, number,spacing, etc. that is associated with a particular sequence. The machinelearned gesture model can be implemented in one or more of the internalelectronics module, the removable electronics module, and/or one or moreremote computing devices.

In accordance with some implementations, touch data indicative of thetouch input and/or one or more touch features associated with the touchinput can be input into the machine learned gesture model. In response,the machine learned gesture model can be configured to output dataindicative of an inference or detection of a gesture based on asimilarity between the touch data indicative of the touch input and oneor more of the sequences stored in the reference database.

The interactive object and/or a computing device in communication withthe interactive object can initiate one or more actions based on adetected gesture. For example, a detected gesture can be associated witha navigation command (e.g., scrolling up/down/side, flipping a page,etc.) in one or more user interfaces coupled to the interactive object(e.g., via the capacitive touch sensor, the controller, or both) and/orany of the one or more remote computing devices. In addition, oralternatively, the respective gesture can initiate one or morepredefined actions utilizing one or more computing devices, such as, forexample, dialing a number, sending a text message, playing a soundrecording etc.

Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide a number of technicaleffects and benefits, particularly in the areas of computing technology,textiles, and the integration of the two. In particular, embodiments ofthe disclosed technology provide improved techniques for detecting usergestures (e.g., in multiple dimensions). For example, utilizingembodiments of the disclosed technology, computing devices can detectuser gestures in multiple dimensions with a one dimensional capacitivetouch sensor. To do so, embodiments of the disclosed technology allow acapacitive touch sensor to define a plurality of sequences via two ormore non-crossing conductive lines, each sequence corresponding to atleast one user gesture. In this way, the capacitive touch sensor candefine multiple sequences of lines in at least two dimensions; thereby,allowing a computing device to distinguish between two dimensional usergestures based on the line sequence. Moreover, embodiments of thedisclosed technology, can detect multi-dimensional movements withoutrelying on an intersection of crossing conductive threads. This, inturn, can reduce hardware requirements by reducing the number ofconductive threads required to detect motion over the capacitive touchsensor. The capacitive touch sensor can thus be formed more efficientlyand with fewer conductive threads.

Moreover, embodiments of the disclosed technology may enable capacitivetouch sensors to be formed with less insulation relative to traditionalsensors that utilize conductive lines. For example, conductive lines areoften provided with insulation to avoid direct contact between lines. Ingrid-based designs where lines directly cross, ensuring adequateinsulation can be challenging and may lead to increased use ofinsulating materials. Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide asimplified architecture while maintaining the ability to detect gesturesbased on different input directions. The challenges associated withinsulating conductive lines from one another may be reduced by using anon-grid-based architecture according to example embodiments. In thismanner, the capacitive touch sensor can be formed more efficiently, andmay require less space than previous capacitive touch sensors based oninsulated conductive wiring or layered capacitive touch sensors.

Example aspects of the disclosed technology provide an improvement totextile computing technology, such as capacitive touch sensors based onconductive lines. For instance, the systems and methods of the presentdisclosure provide an improved approach for detecting multi-dimensionaluser gestures based on one dimensional sensors. For example, acapacitive touch sensor can include two or more non-crossing conductivelines. The two or more non-crossing conductive lines can form aconductive line pattern at at least a first area of the capacitive touchsensor. The pattern can define at least a first line sequence, a secondline sequence, and a third line sequence at the first area. Thesequences may be defined relative to different input directions. Thecapacitive touch sensor can be coupled to one or more computing devices.The capacitive touch sensor can detect touch input based on a change incapacitance associated with the two or more non-crossing conductivelines. The one or more computing devices and/or the capacitive touchsensor can identify at least one line sequence associated with at leastone of the first line sequence, the second line sequence, or the thirdline sequence based on the touch input to the capacitive touch sensor.Based on the identification, the one or more computing devices and/orthe capacitive touch sensor can determine a respective gesturecorresponding to at least one of the first line sequence, the secondline sequence, and/or the third line sequence. In this manner, exampleembodiments of the disclosed technology utilize a capacitive touchsensor that provides a plurality of technical improvements over previouscapacitive touch sensors. For instance, the capacitive touch sensor candetect multi-dimensional user gestures with non-crossing conductivelines by defining one or more unique sequences corresponding to a usergesture. By employing non-crossing lines, the capacitive touch sensoravoids problems inherent in crossing lines. In addition, the capacitivetouch sensor may reduce computing resources by requiring less conductivelines to detect multi-dimensional user gestures. This, in turn, canlower the cost and increase the efficiency of producing effectivecapacitive touch sensors based on conductive lines. Ultimately,embodiments of the disclosed technology provide a practical applicationthat provides a meaningful improvement to the manufacture and efficiencyof capacitive touch sensors based on conductive lines.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example environment 100 in which aninteractive object including capacitive touch sensor 102 including twoor more non-crossing conductive lines formed in a conductive linepattern can be implemented. Environment 100 includes a capacitive touchsensor 102, which is shown as being integrated within variousinteractive objects 104. Capacitive touch sensor 102 can be a textilethat is configured to sense touch input (e.g., multi-touch input). Asdescribed herein, a textile may include any type of flexible wovenmaterial consisting of a network of natural or artificial lines, oftenreferred to as thread or yarn. Textiles may be formed by weaving,knitting, crocheting, knotting, pressing threads together orconsolidating lines or filaments together in a nonwoven manner. In otherexamples, capacitive touch sensor 102 may not be a textile. For example,conductive lines can include a conductive film, wire or a plurality ofconductive filaments. The lines may or may not be twisted, braided, orwrapped with a flexible thread. In some examples, conductive lines canbe affixed to non-conductive threads or an interactive object usingglue, tape, or thread using other sewing techniques.

In environment 100, interactive objects 104 include “flexible” objects,such as a shirt 104-1, a hat 104-2, a handbag 104-3 and a shoe 104-6. Itis to be noted, however, that capacitive touch sensor 102 may beintegrated within any type of flexible object made from fabric or asimilar flexible material, such as garments or articles of clothing,garment accessories, garment containers, blankets, shower curtains,towels, sheets, bed spreads, or fabric casings of furniture, to namejust a few. Examples of garment accessories may include sweat-wickingelastic bands to be worn around the head, wrist, or bicep. Otherexamples of garment accessories may be found in various wrist, arm,shoulder, knee, leg, and hip braces or compression sleeves. Headwear isanother example of a garment accessory, e.g. sun visors, caps, andthermal balaclavas. Examples of garment containers may include waist orhip pouches, backpacks, handbags, satchels, hanging garment bags, andtotes. Garment containers may be worn or carried by a user, as in thecase of a backpack, or may hold their own weight, as in rolling luggage.Capacitive touch sensor 102 may be integrated within flexible objects104 in a variety of different ways, including weaving, sewing, gluing,and so forth.

In this example, objects 104 further include “hard” objects, such as aplastic cup 104-4 and a hard smart phone casing 104-5. It is to benoted, however, that hard objects 104 may include any type of “hard” or“rigid” object made from non-flexible or semi-flexible materials, suchas plastic, metal, aluminum, and so on. For example, hard objects 104may also include plastic chairs, water bottles, plastic balls, or carparts, to name just a few. In another example, hard objects 104 may alsoinclude garment accessories such as chest plates, helmets, goggles, shinguards, and elbow guards. Alternatively, the hard or semi-flexiblegarment accessory may be embodied by a shoe, cleat, boot, or sandal.Capacitive touch sensor 102 may be integrated within hard objects 104using a variety of different manufacturing processes. In one or moreimplementations, injection molding is used to integrate capacitive touchsensor 102 into hard objects 104.

Capacitive touch sensor 102 enables a user to control object 104 thatthe capacitive touch sensor 102 is integrated with, or to control avariety of other computing devices 106 via a network 108. Computingdevices 106 are illustrated with various non-limiting example devices:server 106-1, smart phone 106-2, laptop 106-3, computing spectacles106-4, television 106-5, camera 106-6, tablet 106-7, desktop 106-8, andsmart watch 106-9, though other devices may also be used, such as homeautomation and control systems, sound or entertainment systems, homeappliances, security systems, netbooks, and e-readers. Note thatcomputing device 106 can be wearable (e.g., computing spectacles andsmart watches), non-wearable but mobile (e.g., laptops and tablets), orrelatively immobile (e.g., desktops and servers).

Network 108 includes one or more of many types of wireless or partlywireless communication networks, such as a local-area-network (LAN), awireless local-area-network (WLAN), a personal-area-network (PAN), awide-area-network (WAN), an intranet, the Internet, a peer-to-peernetwork, point-to-point network, a mesh network, and so forth.

Capacitive touch sensor 102 can interact with computing devices 106 bytransmitting touch data or other sensor data through network 108.Computing device(s) 106 uses the touch data to control computingdevice(s) 106 or applications at computing device(s) 106. As an example,consider that capacitive touch sensor 102 integrated at shirt 104-1 maybe configured to control the user's smart phone 106-2 in the user'spocket, television 106-5 in the user's home, smart watch 106-9 on theuser's wrist, or various other appliances in the user's house, such asthermostats, lights, music, and so forth. For example, the user may beable to swipe up or down on capacitive touch sensor 102 integratedwithin the user's shirt 104-1 to cause the volume on television 106-5 togo up or down, to cause the temperature controlled by a thermostat inthe user's house to increase or decrease, or to turn on and off lightsin the user's house. Note that any type of touch, tap, swipe, hold, orstroke gesture may be recognized by capacitive touch sensor 102.

In more detail, consider FIG. 2 which illustrates an example system 200that includes an interactive object 104 and multiple electronicsmodules. In system 200, capacitive touch sensor 102 is integrated in aninteractive object 104, which may be implemented as a flexible object(e.g., shirt 104-1, hat 104-2, or handbag 104-3) or a hard object (e.g.,plastic cup 104-4 or smart phone casing 104-5).

Capacitive touch sensor 102 is configured to sense touch input from auser when one or more fingers of the user's hand touch capacitive touchsensor 102. Capacitive touch sensor 102 may be configured to sensesingle-touch, multi-touch, and/or full-hand touch input from a user. Toenable the detection of touch input, capacitive touch sensor 102includes conductive line(s) 202, which as described hereinafter, can becoupled to capacitive touch sensor 102 (e.g., in a serpentine pattern,ellipse pattern, etc.) so as to define one or more sequences of linesrelative to one or more respective input directions without crossing oneanother. Notably, conductive line(s) 202 do not alter the flexibility ofcapacitive touch sensor 102 in example embodiments, which enablescapacitive touch sensor 102 to be easily integrated within flexibleinteractive objects 104.

Interactive object 104 can include an internal electronics module 204that is embedded into interactive object 104 (e.g., garment, garmentaccessory, plastic cup, etc.). Internal electronics module 204 can bedirectly coupled to conductive line(s) 202 in some implementations. Inother implementations, conductive lines 202 can be attached to internalelectronics module 204 via one or more connector components. Internalelectronics module 204 can be communicatively coupled to a removableelectronics module 206 via a communication interface 222. Internalelectronics module 204 contains a first subset of electronic componentsfor the interactive object 104, and removable electronics module 206contains a second, different, subset of electronics components for theinteractive object 104. As described herein, the internal electronicsmodule 204 may be physically and permanently embedded within interactiveobject 104, whereas the removable electronics module 206 may beremovably coupled to interactive object 104.

Internal electronics module 204 can include electronic components, suchas sensing circuitry 210 configured to detect touch input to conductiveline(s) 202. For example, the sensing circuitry 210 can be coupled toconductive line(s) 202 that can be woven into capacitive touch sensor102. For example, wires from the conductive lines 202 may be connectedto sensing circuitry 210 using flexible PCB, creping, gluing withconductive glue, soldering, and so forth. In one embodiment, the sensingcircuitry 210 can be configured to detect a user-inputted touch input oncapacitive touch sensor 102 that is pre-programmed to indicate a certainrequest. In one embodiment, when conductive line(s) 202 form aconductive line pattern (e.g., a snake, partial ellipse or otherpattern), sensing circuitry 210 can be configured to also detect aninput direction of the touch input on conductive line(s) 202. Forexample, when an object, such as a user's finger, stylus, etc., touchesconductive line(s) 202, the direction of the touch can be determined bysensing circuitry 210 by detecting a change in capacitance on theconductive line pattern of capacitive touch sensor 102. The touch inputmay then be used to generate touch data usable to control computingdevice(s) 106. For example, the touch input can be used to determinevarious gestures, such as single-finger and multi-finger swipes (e.g.,swipe up, swipe down, swipe left, swipe right).

Internal electronics module 204 can include one or more drivers and canprovide power and/or control signals to conductive line(s) 202. Theinternal electronics module 204 may not include an on-board power sourcein some embodiments. Instead, a removable electronics module 206 cansupply power to internal electronics module 204. Sensing circuitry 210in some examples includes a controller that is configured to detect atouch input, for example, when user pressure is applied to conductiveline(s) 202. The internal electronics module 204 can be configured tocommunicate touch data indicative of the touch input to a computingdevice such as removable electronics module 206 or one or more remotecomputing devices. In some examples, the controller comprises a flexibleprinted circuit board (PCB) including a microprocessor. The printedcircuit board can include a set of contact pads for attaching toconductive line(s) 202.

Communication interface 222 enables the transfer of power and data(e.g., touch data indicative of touch input) between internalelectronics module 204 and removable electronics module 206. In someimplementations, communication interface 222 may be implemented as aconnector that includes a connector plug and a connector receptacle. Theconnector plug may be implemented at removable electronics module 206and is configured to connect to the connector receptacle, which may beimplemented at the interactive object 104.

In some embodiments, removable electronics module 206 includes a secondsubset of electronic components (e.g., a microprocessor 212, powersource 214, or network interface 216). Removable electronics module 206can be removably coupled to the interactive object 104 via thecommunication interface 222. The communication interface 222 enablescommunication between internal electronics module 204 and removableelectronics module 206 when removable electronics module 206 is coupledto interactive object 104. In example embodiments, removable electronicsmodule 206 can be removably mounted to a rigid member on interactiveobject 104. A connector can include a connecting device for physicallyand electrically coupling to removable electronics module 206. Internalelectronics module 204 can be in communication with the connector.Internal electronics module 204 can be configured to communicate withremovable electronics module 206 when connected to the connector. Acontroller of removable electronics module 206 can receive informationand send commands to internal electronics module 204. A communicationinterface 222 is configured to enable communication between internalelectronics module 204 and the controller when the connector is coupledto removable electronics module 206. For example, communicationinterface 222 may comprise a network interface 216 integral withremovable electronics module 206. Removable electronics module 206 canalso include a rechargeable power source 214. Removable electronicsmodule 206 can be removable from interactive object 104 for chargingpower source 214. Once power source 214 is charged, removableelectronics module 206 can be placed back into interactive object 104and electrically coupled to the connector.

Power source 214 may be coupled, via communication interface 222, tosensing circuitry 210 to provide power to sensing circuitry 210 toenable the detection of touch input. In one or more embodiments,communication interface 222 is implemented as a connector that isconfigured to connect removable electronics module 206 to internalelectronics module 204 of interactive object 104. When touch input isdetected by sensing circuitry 210 of internal electronics module 204,data representative of the touch input may be communicated, viacommunication interface 222, to microprocessor 212 of removableelectronics module 206. Microprocessor 212 may then analyze the touchdata to generate one or more control signals, which may then becommunicated to computing device 106 (e.g., a smart phone) via networkinterface 216 to cause computing device 106 to initiate a particularfunctionality. Generally, network interfaces 216 are configured tocommunicate data, such as touch data, over wired, wireless, or opticalnetworks to computing devices 106. By way of example and not limitation,network interfaces 216 may communicate data over a local-area-network(LAN), a wireless local-area-network (WLAN), a personal-area-network(PAN) (e.g., Bluetooth™), a wide-area-network (WAN), an intranet, theInternet, a peer-to-peer network, point-to-point network, a meshnetwork, and the like (e.g., through network 108 of FIG. 1).

While internal electronics module 204 and removable electronics module206 are illustrated and described as including specific electroniccomponents, it is to be appreciated that these modules may be configuredin a variety of different ways. For example, in some cases, electroniccomponents described as being contained within internal electronicsmodule 204 may be at least partially implemented at removableelectronics module 206, and vice versa. Furthermore, internalelectronics module 204 and removable electronics module 206 may includeelectronic components other that those illustrated in FIG. 2, such assensors, light sources (e.g., LED's), displays, speakers, and so forth.

Conductive line 202 can include a conductive thread, conductive fiber,conductive filament, fiber optic filaments, flexible metal lines, etc.FIG. 3 depicts an example 300 of a conductive line 202 implemented as aconductive thread in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The conductive thread includes a conductive wire 310 that iscombined with one or more flexible threads 308. Conductive wire 310 maybe combined with flexible threads 308 in a variety of different ways,such as by twisting flexible threads 308 with conductive wire 310,wrapping flexible threads 308 with conductive wire 310, braiding orweaving flexible threads 308 to form a cover that covers conductive wire310, and so forth. Twisting conductive wire 310 with flexible thread 308causes conductive thread 202 to be flexible and stretchy, which enablesconductive thread 202 to be easily woven with non-conductive threads toform an interactive fabric, or embroidered onto interactive fabric.Conductive wire 310 may be implemented using a variety of differentconductive materials, such as copper, silver, gold, aluminum, or othermaterials coated with a conductive polymer. Flexible thread 308 may beimplemented as any type of flexible thread or fiber, such as cotton,wool, silk, nylon, polyester, and so forth.

Combining conductive wire 310 with flexible thread 308 causes conductiveline 202 to be flexible and stretchy, which enables conductive line 202to be easily woven with one or more non-conductive lines (e.g., cotton,silk, or polyester). In one or more implementations, conductive line 202includes a conductive core that includes at least one conductive wire310 (e.g., one or more copper wires) and a cover layer, configured tocover the conductive core, that is constructed from flexible threads308. In some cases, conductive wire 310 of the conductive core isinsulated. Alternately, conductive wire 310 of the conductive core isnot insulated.

A conductive core can include at least one conductive wire and a coverlayer constructed from flexible threads that cover the conductive core.The conductive core may be formed by twisting one or more flexiblethreads (e.g., silk threads, polyester threads, or cotton threads) withthe conductive wire, or by wrapping flexible threads around theconductive wire. In some embodiments, the conductive core may be formedby braiding the conductive wire with flexible threads (e.g., silk). Thecover layer may be formed by wrapping or braiding flexible threadsaround the conductive core. In some embodiments, the conductive threadis implemented with a “double-braided” structure in which the conductivecore is formed by braiding flexible threads with a conductive wire, andthen braiding flexible threads around the braided conductive core.Although many examples are provided with respect to conductive threads,it will be appreciated that any type of conductive line can be used withthe capacitive touch sensor 102 according to example embodiments. Forexample, a conductive line can be used to transmit and/or emit light,such as in line optic applications.

Conductive line(s) 202 can be integrated with non-conductive threads toform a fabric or a textile. For example, conductive line can be sewnonto the interactive textile or may be woven with the non-conductivethreads. In other examples, conductive line(s) 202 can be affixed to thenon-conductive threads, another substrate, and/or another surface ofinteractive object 104 using glue, tape, or thread etc. It will beappreciated that non-conductive threads are not necessary forintegrating conductive line(s) 202 with an interactive object 104.

Interactive object 104 can include capacitive touch sensor 102 with twoor more non-crossing conductive lines configured to receive touch inputfrom one or more users. The two or more non-crossing lines formingcapacitive touch sensor 102 can form at least a first conductive linepattern at an area of capacitive touch sensor 102. The first conductiveline pattern can include any suitable pattern of non-crossing conductivelines 202 that are formed in a non-crossing manner. In particular,consider FIG. 4 which depicts an example 400 of a capacitive touchsensor 102 including non-crossing conductive lines 202(a-e) configuredto detect gestures in multiple input directions in accordance withexample embodiments of the present disclosure. The individual lines at afirst area 420 where a first conductive line pattern 410 is formed donot overlap or otherwise cross one another. For example, thenon-crossing individual lines 202(a-e) of the conductive line pattern410 do not cross underneath or over one another at the first area 420 ofcapacitive touch sensor 102. Moreover, the non-crossing individual lines202(a-e) of the conductive line pattern 410 do not otherwise touch eachother at the first area 420 of the capacitive touch sensor 102. Thus,the non-crossing manner of the conductive line pattern 410 provides thateach individual line 202(a-e) does not cross underneath, over, orotherwise touch one another at the first area 420 of the capacitivetouch sensor 102.

Capacitive touch sensor 102 can be formed with a simplified architecturewhile enabling the detection of inputs in multiple directions. Byincluding a capacitive touch sensor 102 with two or more non-crossinglines 202(a-e), example embodiments in accordance with the presentdisclosure can provide a simplified sensor architecture capable ofmulti-dimensional input detection that typically requires more complexarchitectures. As described in detail below, FIG. 4 depicts just one ofvarious approaches for forming a capacitive touch sensor that includesnon-crossing conductive lines capable of multi-dimensional inputdetection in accordance with example embodiments as described.

FIG. 4 depicts a conductive line pattern 410 defined by non-crossingconductive lines 202(a-e). In this example, non-crossing conductivelines 202(a-e) form a serpentine pattern at a first area 420 of thecapacitive touch sensor 102. By way of example, non-crossing conductivelines 202(a-e) are parallel to one another and extend along thelongitudinal axis 430 at a first portion 422 of capacitive touch sensor102. Non-crossing conductive lines 202(a-e) are parallel to one anotherand extend along lateral axis 440 at a second portion 424 of capacitivetouch sensor 102. Each non-crossing conductive line is formedcontinuously from the first portion 422 to the second portion 424.Non-crossing conductive lines 202(a-e) are parallel to one another andextend along the longitudinal axis 430 at a third portion 426 of thecapacitive touch sensor 102. Each non-crossing conductive line is formedcontinuously from the second portion 424 to the third portion 426. Insome examples, conductive lines 202(a-e) may be insulated from touchinput at areas outside of area 420. For instance, a capacitive shieldinglayer may be formed over or otherwise cover conductive lines 202(a-e)outside of area 420.

FIG. 5 depicts another example 500 of a conductive line patternincluding non-crossing conductive lines in accordance with exampleembodiments of the present disclosure. Conductive line pattern 510includes a series of partial ellipses 550/555 defined by non-crossingconductive lines 202(a-d). Non-crossing conductive lines 202(a-d) defineat least one partial outer ellipse 550 and at least one partial innerellipse 555 without crossing. Partial inner ellipse 555 extends withinpartial outer ellipse 550. Partial inner ellipse 555 extends uniformlyoff center from partial outer ellipse 550. The center point of partialinner ellipse 535 is different than the center point of partial outerellipse 530. In particular, the center point 535 of partial innerellipse 555 is separated from the center point 530 of partial outerellipse 550 by a distance 540. In this manner, as described in furtherdetail below with reference to FIG. 8, the space between each ofnon-crossing conductive lines 202(a-d) can be made to vary depending ona direction across conductive line pattern 510. In other examples, aconductive line pattern may include partial ellipses that are notoff-center relative to one another.

As noted above, various other conductive line patterns includingnon-crossing conductive lines can be used in accordance with the presentdisclosure to detect gestures in multiple crossing directions. Two ormore non-crossing conductive lines can be configured in any conductiveline pattern in any area of the capacitive touch sensor.

FIG. 6 depicts an example capacitive touch sensor 102 includingnon-crossing conductive lines 202(a-e). Conductive line pattern 410defines multiple line sequences 602-608 relative to a longitudinal axis430 and a lateral axis 440. A first line sequence 602 is definedrelative to a first input direction 610 along the lateral axis 440 and asecond line sequence 604 is defined relative to a second input direction615 along the lateral axis 440. The first input direction 610 and thesecond input direction 615 are opposite directions along lateral axis440. At area 420, non-crossing conductive lines 202(a-e) also define athird line sequence 606 relative to a third input direction 620 alongthe longitudinal axis 430 and a fourth line sequence 608 relative to afourth input direction 625 along the longitudinal axis 430. The thirdinput direction 620 and the fourth input direction 625 are oppositedirections along longitudinal axis 430. Moreover, third input direction620 and fourth input direction 625 are orthogonal to first inputdirection 610 and second input direction 615. It is noted that an inputdirection may be a component of a motion that includes multipledirectional components that comprise a touch input. For example, firstinput direction 610 may be one directional component of a touch inputthat has multiple directional components, such as a directionalcomponent in a direction along the longitudinal axis.

A touch input applied at the area 420 of the capacitive touch sensor 102can generate touch data that can be used to discriminate multiplegestures provided in different dimensions. For example, swipe inputsacross the conductive line pattern 410 having opposite first and seconddirectional components can be identified. The first directionalcomponent can correspond to the first input direction 610 and cangenerally be right to left along the lateral axis 440. The seconddirectional component can correspond to the second input direction 615and can generally be left to right along the lateral axis 440.Additionally, swipe inputs across the conductive line pattern 410 inopposite third and fourth directions can be identified. The third andfourth directional components can be orthogonal to the first and seconddirectional components. For example, the third directional component cancorrespond to the third input direction 620 and can be generallydownward along the longitudinal axis 430, while the fourth directionalcomponent can correspond to the fourth input direction 625 and can begenerally upward along the longitudinal axis 430. A capacitive touchsensor 102 in accordance with example embodiments may be able toidentify fewer or additional gestures than those described.

Each line sequence includes one or more sequence features that can beutilized to detect one or more gestures. For example, the one or morefeatures of a particular sequence can include a particular order ofnon-crossing conductive lines, a particular number of non-crossingconductive lines, one or more distances between two or more non-crossingconductive lines, etc. A particular order of non-crossing conductivelines can be defined for a set of non-crossing conductive lines formingcapacitive touch sensor 102. The particular order of non-crossingconductive lines can be at a given portion of a conductive line patterncorresponding to a particular line sequence. Each line sequence caninclude an order of non-crossing conductive lines in a particulardirection across the conductive line pattern.

The first line sequence 602 has an order:

-   -   202(e)-202(d)-202(c)-202(b)-202(a)-[202(a-e)]-202(e)-202(d)-202(c)-202(b)-202(a).        The sequence is relative to the first input direction 610. The        first input direction 610 intersects, at least in part, the        first line sequence 602. Conductive line pattern 410 also        includes second line sequence 604. Second line sequence 604 has        an order:    -   202(a)-202(b)-202(c)-202(d)-202(e)-[202(a-e)]-202(a)-202(b)-202(c)-202(d)-202(e).        Second line sequence 604 is relative to the second input        direction 615. The second input direction 615 intersects, at        least in part, second line sequence 604. A touch input across        the conductive line pattern 410 that includes a directional        component in the second input direction 615 will be detected as        the second line sequence 604. In this example, the order of the        second sequence 604 is opposite to the order of the first        sequence 602. However, the order of each sequence can be        distinct in other ways.

In this example, the first input direction 610 and the second inputdirection 615 are opposite directions along lateral axis 440. The firstline sequence 602 and the second line sequence 604 include an order oflines along the lateral axis 440 of conductive line pattern 410.Conductive line pattern 410 defines a first line sequence 602 relativeto first input direction 610 in a first lateral direction alongcapacitive touch sensor 102. In addition, conductive line pattern 410defines a second line sequence 604 relative to second input direction615 in a second lateral direction (e.g., opposite to the first lateraldirection) along capacitive touch sensor 102. In this manner, conductiveline pattern 410 defines at least one line sequence relative to eachdirection in a first (e.g., lateral) dimension 440. The first linesequence 602 and the second line sequence 604 can be associated with arespective gesture. For example, the first line sequence 602 can beassociated with a swipe input across the conductive line pattern 410,where the swipe input has a directional component in a first lateraldirection along the lateral axis 440 of conductive line pattern 410. Inaddition, or alternatively, the second line sequence 604 can beassociated with a swipe input across the conductive line pattern 410,where the swipe input has a directional component in a second, oppositelateral direction along the lateral axis 440 of conductive line pattern410.

In addition, conductive line pattern 410 includes a third line sequence606. The third line sequence 606 has an order:

-   -   202(e)-202(d)-202(c)-202(b)-202(a)-202(a)-202(b)-202(c)-202(d)-202(e)-202(e)-202(d)-202(c)-202(b)-202(a).        Third line sequence 606 is relative to the third input direction        620. The third input direction 620 intersects, at least in part,        the third line sequence 606. A touch input across the pattern        410 that includes a directional component in the third input        direction 620 will be detected as the third line sequence 606.        Conductive line pattern 410 also includes a fourth line sequence        608. The fourth line sequence 608 has an order:    -   202(a)-202(b)-202(c)-202(d)-202(e)-202(e)-202(d)-202(c)-202(b)-202(a)-202(a)-202(b)-202(c)-202(d)-202(e).

Fourth line sequence 608 is relative to the fourth input direction 625.Non-crossing conductive lines 202(a-e) extend in a direction orthogonalto fourth input direction 625. In this manner, the fourth inputdirection 625 intersects, at least in part, fourth line sequence 608. Atouch input across the pattern 410 that includes a directional componentin the fourth input direction 625 will be detected as the fourth linesequence 608. In this example, the order of the fourth sequence 608 isopposite to the order of the third sequence 606.

Third input direction 620 and fourth input direction 625 are oppositedirections along longitudinal axis 430. Third line sequence 606 andfourth line sequence 608 each include a line sequence along thelongitudinal axis 430 of conductive line pattern 410. Third inputdirection 620 (e.g., a longitudinal direction) is orthogonal to firstinput direction 610 and second input direction 615 (e.g., lateraldirections). In this manner, conductive line pattern 410 defines atleast one line sequence relative to opposite directions along a secondlongitudinal axis 430. The third line sequence 606 and the fourth linesequence 608 can be associated with a respective gesture. For example,the third line sequence 606 can be associated with a swipe input acrossthe conductive line pattern 410, where the swipe input has a directionalcomponent in a first longitudinal direction along the longitudinal axis430 of conductive line pattern 410. In addition, or alternatively, thefourth line sequence 608 can be associated with a swipe input across theconductive line pattern 410, where the swipe input has a directionalcomponent in a second, opposite direction along the longitudinal axis430 of the conductive line pattern 410.

In this example, each line sequence defined by conductive line pattern410 includes a distinct order of lines. As discussed in more detailbelow, the distinct order of lines associated with each line sequencecan be used to identify a particular line sequence in a conductive linepattern. A particular line sequence can be identified by only a portionof a conductive line pattern and/or only a portion of capacitive touchsensor 102. Although four line sequences are illustrated in FIG. 6, itis to be noted that a conductive line pattern can define any number ofline sequences in any number of portions of a capacitive touch sensor102. For example, conductive line pattern 410 can define a plurality ofline sequences in addition to the line sequences 602-608. By way ofexample, conductive line pattern 410 can define at least a fifth and/ora sixth line sequence. For example, conductive line pattern 410 candefine a fifth line sequence relative to a fifth input direction. Thefifth input direction can include a direction in between the first andthird input directions 610/620 (e.g., in a diagonal direction). Inaddition, or alternatively, conductive line pattern 410 can define asixth line sequence relative to a sixth input direction. The sixth inputdirection can include an opposite direction along a common axis of thefifth input direction. In this manner, a capacitive touch sensor 102 inaccordance with example embodiments may be able to identify fewer oradditional gestures than those described.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 6, the one or more features for aparticular line sequence can include one or more distances associatedwith a conductive line pattern. For example, as discussed in furtherdetail with reference to FIG. 8, the one or more distances can include aspacing between two or more non-crossing conductive lines at a givenportion of the conductive line pattern corresponding to one or more linesequences. For example, the conductive line pattern can includedifferent distances between non-crossing conductive lines at portions ofthe capacitive touch sensor 102 corresponding to one or more differentconductive line sequences. By way of example, a first portion of theconductive line pattern can have different spacing between non-crossingconductive lines than a second portion of the conductive line pattern.For instance, the non-crossing conductive lines forming the firstportion of the conductive line pattern can be spaced apart a firstdistance and the conductive lines forming the second portion of theconductive line pattern can be spaced apart a second distance. In anexample embodiment, each line sequence can include at least twonon-crossing conductive lines and a distance between the two or morenon-crossing conductive lines. By way of example, line sequences caninclude different distances depending on the input direction across thecapacitive touch sensor 102. In addition, or alternatively, each linesequence can include a particular order of two or more non-crossingconductive lines and/or a particular spacing between each of the two ormore non-crossing conductive lines in the particular order.

In addition, or alternatively, the one or more features for a particularline sequence can include a particular number of non-crossing conductivelines in the set of non-crossing conductive lines forming the conductiveline pattern. For instance, the sequence features can include aparticular number of non-crossing conductive lines at a given portion ofthe conductive line pattern corresponding to the particular linesequence. By way of example, the conductive line pattern can include adifferent number of non-crossing conductive lines in one or moreportions of the capacitive touch sensor 102. For example, each linesequence can include a different number of non-crossing conductive linesin the set of non-crossing conductive lines forming the conductive linepattern. For instance, in an example embodiment, each line sequence caninclude a particular number of conductive lines, a particular order ofthe particular number of conductive lines, and a spacing between each ofthe number of conductive lines. The sequence features associated witheach line sequence can be used to identify a gesture based on touchinput applied to capacitive touch sensor 102.

FIG. 7a depicts an example 700 of a touch input 750 applied to acapacitive touch sensor 102 in accordance with an example embodiment.Touch input 750 may be interpreted by the touch sensor 102 as apre-defined gesture. For example, touch input 750 may be interpreted asa horizontal swipe gesture in the L to R direction. In example 700,touch input 750 includes a directional component along the lateral axis440 across the capacitive touch sensor 102. The touch input 750 issensed by contact or proximity of finger 760 to non-crossing conductivelines 202(a-e) at conductive line pattern 410. For example, the touchinput 750 may be detected as the second line sequence 604 shown in FIG.6. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, this secondline sequence 604 can be associated with a particular gesture. In thismanner, interactive object 104 can determine that a horizontal swipegesture is performed in response to detecting lateral movement having adirectional component 615 as shown in FIG. 6. It is noted that the sizeof capacitive touch sensor 102 relative to finger 760 can vary. Forexample, a stylus having a much smaller tip than finger 760 may providea touch input 750 that will also be detected as the second line sequence604.

FIG. 7b depicts an example touch input 755 applied to a capacitive touchsensor 102 in accordance with an example embodiment. Touch input 755 canbe interpreted as the same input gesture detected in response to thetouch input 750 illustrated in FIG. 7A in some examples. For example,touch input 755 may be detected as a line sequence that shares many, butperhaps not all of the exact features as line sequence 604.Nevertheless, interactive object 104 can identify line sequence 604 fromtouch input 755. In response to touch input 755, the system candetermine that a horizontal swipe gesture in the L to R direction wasperformed.

FIG. 8 depicts another example 800 of a capacitive touch sensor 102including non-crossing conductive lines 202(a-d) forming conductive linepattern 510 configured to detect gestures in multiple input directionsin accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 8includes an example capacitive touch sensor 102 including non-crossingconductive lines 202(a-d). Conductive line pattern 510 defines multipleline sequences 802-808 relative to a longitudinal axis 430 and a lateralaxis 440. A first line sequence 802 is defined relative to a first inputdirection 610 along the lateral axis 440 and a second line sequence 804is defined relative to a second input direction 615 along the lateralaxis 440. The first input direction 610 and the second input direction615 are opposite directions along the lateral axis 440. At area 520,non-crossing conductive lines 202(a-d) also define a third line sequence806 relative to a third input direction 620 along the longitudinal axis430 and a fourth line sequence 808 relative to a fourth input direction625 along the longitudinal axis 430. Each line sequence 802-808 includesone or more distinct sequence features including a distinct order ofconductive lines and/or a distinct spacing between conductive lines.

In particular, conductive line pattern 510 defines a first line sequence802 including an order: 202(d)-202(c)-202(b)-202(a) relative to thefirst input direction 610. Conductive line pattern 510 defines a secondline sequence 804 including a different order:202(a)-202(b)-202(c)-202(d) relative to the second input direction 615.In addition, conductive line pattern 510 defines a third line sequence806 including a different order: 202(d)-202(c)-202(c)-202(d) along thethird input direction 620. Conductive line pattern 510 also includes afourth line sequence 808 including an order:202(d)-202(c)-202(c)-202(d). The fourth line sequence 808 includes thesame order of non-crossing conductive lines 202(a-d) as the third linesequence 806. However, the spacing between each conductive line in theorder of non-crossing conductive lines 202(a-d) is different. Inparticular, the fourth line sequence 808 includes a first spacing 810between non-crossing conductive lines 202(d)-202(c). The third linesequence 806, on the other hand, includes a second spacing 820 betweennon-crossing conductive lines 202(d)-202(c).

In this manner, each line sequence defined by conductive line pattern510 includes at least a distinct order and/or spacing betweennon-crossing conductive lines 202(a-d). As discussed in more detailbelow, the distinct order and spacing between conductive linesassociated with each line sequence can be used to identify a particularline sequence in a conductive line pattern. Each distinct order andspacing of lines illustrated above is taken across a particular portionof conductive line pattern 510. However, a line sequence can beidentified by any portion of a conductive line pattern and/or anyportion of capacitive touch sensor 102.

Turning to FIG. 9, an example computing system configured to determine agesture based on a detected touch input to capacitive touch sensor 102in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure isillustrated. Interactive object 104 and/or one or more computing devicesin communication with interactive object 104 can detect a user gesturebased at least in part on capacitive touch sensor 102. For example,interactive object 104 and/or the one or more computing devices canimplement a gesture manager 910 that can identify one or more gesturesin response to touch input 902 to the capacitive touch sensor 102.

Interactive object 104 can detect touch input 902 to capacitive touchsensor 102 based on a change in capacitance associated non-crossingconductive lines 202. For example, a user can activate one or morenon-crossing conductive lines 202 by moving an object (e.g., finger,conductive stylus, etc.) across capacitive touch sensor 102. By way ofexample, the capacitance associated with each of the non-crossingconductive lines 202 can change when touched by the object or when theobject comes in proximity to the conductive line. As shown at (904),sensing circuitry 210 can detect a change in capacitance associated withone or more of the non-crossing conductive lines 202. Sensing circuitry210 can generate touch data 906 indicative of the one or moreactivations (e.g., changes in capacitance) associated with one or moreof the non-crossing conductive lines 202.

Sensing circuitry 210 of internal electronics module 204 can generatetouch data in response to detecting the touch input 902, as illustratedat (906). The touch data can include data indicative of touch input 902.For example, the touch data can include one or more touch input featuresassociated with touch input 902. In some examples, the touch data mayidentify a particular line that was touched, and a time associated withthe touch to the line. By way of example, the one or more timescorresponding to one or more of the non-crossing conductive lines 202can include a time stamp and/or a time period associated with a changein capacitance of one or more of the non-crossing conductive lines 202.For example, the one or more times can correspond to one or more timeperiods in between a change in capacitance of two particular conductivelines.

Interactive object 104 (e.g., internal electronics module 204 and/orremovable electronics module 206) and/or one or more computing devicesin communication with interactive object 104 can analyze touch data toidentify the one or more touch input features associated with touchinput 902. The one or more touch input features can include, forexample, an order of non-crossing conductive lines 202, a number ofnon-crossing conductive lines 202, and/or one or more timescorresponding to one or more of the non-crossing conductive lines 202.For example, each of the one or more touch input features can correspondto a particular touch input 902 detected at a portion of capacitivetouch sensor 102 at a particular time. Interactive object 104 (e.g.,internal electronics module 204 and/or removable electronics module 206)and/or one or more computing devices in communication with interactiveobject 104 can include a gesture manager 910. Gesture manager 910 can beconfigured to analyze touch data to determine a respective line sequenceand/or a respective gesture.

In particular at (908), gesture manager 910 can analyze touch data toidentify a number of activated conductive lines, an order of activatedconductive lines, and/or a distance between at least two of theactivated conductive lines associated with the touch input 902. Forexample, gesture manager 910 can identify an order in which non-crossingconductive lines 202 are activated during touch input 902 to capacitivetouch sensor 102. In addition, gesture manager 910 can identify one ormore times corresponding to each activation of non-crossing conductivelines 202. The one or more times can correspond to a period of time inbetween an activation (e.g., change in capacitance) associated with atleast two non-crossing conductive lines 202 during the touch input 902.Gesture manager 910 can determine a respective distance between the atleast two of the non-crossing conductive lines 202 based on therespective period of time between each activation. For example, a periodof time between the activation of at least two of the non-crossingconductive lines 202 can correspond to a respective distance between theat least two of the non-crossing conductive lines 202. In this manner,gesture manager 910 can determine a distance between at least twoactivated conductive lines based on the one or more times correspondingto one or more non-crossing conductive lines 202. Gesture manager 910can identify at least one line sequence at (908) based at least in parton the number of activated conductive lines, an order of activatedconductive lines, and/or a distance between at least two of theactivated conductive lines associated with the touch input 902.

In some examples, gesture manager 910 can identify at least one linesequence based on reference data 920. Reference data 920 can includedata indicative of one or more sequence features corresponding to atleast one line sequence. The reference data 920 can be stored in areference database 915 in association with one or more sequences oflines. In addition, or alternatively, reference database 915 can includedata indicative of one or more gestures corresponding to each of the oneor more line sequences. Reference database 915 can be stored oninteractive object 104 (e.g., internal electronics module 204 and/orremovable electronics module 206) and/or on one or more computingdevices in communication with the interactive object 104. In addition,or alternatively, reference database 915 can be stored remote frominteractive object 104 in one or more remote servers. In such a case,interactive object 104 can access remote database 915 via one or morecommunication interfaces (e.g., network interface 216).

Gesture manager 910 can compare the touch data indicative of the touchinput 902 with reference data 920 corresponding to at least one linesequence. For example, gesture manager 910 can compare touch inputfeatures associated with touch input 902 to reference data 920indicative of one or more sequence features. Gesture manager 910 candetermine a correspondence between at least one touch input feature andat least one sequence feature. Gesture manager can detect acorrespondence between touch input 902 and at least one line sequence inreference database 915 based on the determined correspondence between atleast one touch input feature and at least one sequence feature.

For example, gesture manager 910 can detect a correspondence betweentouch input 902 and at least one of a first line sequence, a second linesequence, and/or a third line sequence. By way of example, gesturemanager 910 can identify one or more corresponding features between thetouch data indicative of touch input 902 and at least one of the firstline sequence, the second line sequence, and/or the third line sequence.The corresponding features can include at least one touch input featureand at least one sequence feature from reference database 915 that meeta matching criteria. Gesture manager 910 can determine a similaritybetween the touch input 902 and a respective line sequence fromreference database 915 based on the corresponding features. For example,the similarity between the touch input 902 and a respective linesequence can be determined based on a number of corresponding featuresidentified between the touch input features associated with the touchinput 902 and respective sequence features associated with a respectiveline sequence. For instance, gesture manager 910 can detect acorrespondence between touch input 902 and a line sequence based on arespective line sequence associated with the largest number ofcorresponding features.

In addition, or alternatively, gesture manager 910 can detect acorrespondence between touch input 902 and a line sequence based on oneor more priority scores associated with each line sequence. For example,one or more sequence features in reference database 915 can beassociated with a respective priority score. By way of example, asequence feature can be assigned a priority score based on a level ofdistinctiveness. For instance, less common sequence features inreference database 915 can be assigned a higher priority score. Forexample, a first order of one or more non-crossing conductive linesacross a first portion of a conductive line pattern can be associatedwith a higher priority score than a second order of one or morenon-crossing conductive lines across a second portion of a conductiveline pattern. By way of example, the first order can be associated witha higher priority score because it is associated with fewer linesequences than the second order. Moreover, a spacing between twonon-crossing conductive lines distinct to a single line sequence can beassigned a higher priority than a spacing between two non-crossingconductive lines shared by a plurality line sequences. In this manner,sequence features can be weighted according to a level ofdistinctiveness. In example embodiments, gesture manager 910 can detecta correspondence between touch input 902 and a line sequence based onthe respective line sequence associated with the highest priority score.For example, gesture manager 910 can aggregate the priority scoresassociated with each corresponding feature between touch input 902 andone or more line sequences in reference database 915. Gesture manager910 can detect a correspondence between touch input 902 and the linesequence associated with the highest aggregated score.

Gesture manager 910 can determine a respective gesture at (912) based ontouch input 902. For example, gesture manager 910 can determine arespective gesture corresponding to a line sequence identified inresponse to touch input 902. By way of example, an identifier for eachline sequence can be stored in reference database 915 with anidentification of a respective gesture. Gesture manager 910 can utilizereference database 915 to identify a respective gesture corresponding toa detected line sequence. For example, gesture manager 910 can determinea respective gesture 912 by identifying a respective gesture associatedwith the detected line sequence from reference database 915.

In addition, or alternatively, gesture manager 910 can input touch input902 and/or the touch data indicative of touch input 902 into a machinelearned gesture model 925. Machine-learned gesture model 925 can beconfigured to output a detection of at least one line sequence, or,alternatively, a gesture corresponding to the at least one linesequence. Machine learned gesture model 925 can generate data indicativeof input features based on touch input 902 and/or touch data indicativeof touch input 902. Machine learned gesture model 925 can generate anoutput including data indicative of a gesture detection. For example,machine learned gesture model 925 can be trained, via one or moremachine learning techniques, using reference data 920 as one or moreconstraints. By way of example, machine learned gesture model 925 can betrained using one or more sequence features, line sequences, and/or oneor more respective gestures. For instance, machine learned gesture model925 can be trained using one or more sequence features matched with oneor more corresponding lines sequences and/or one or more respectivegestures. In this manner, machine learned gesture model 925 can betrained via machine learning techniques, such as, for example,backpropagation using reference data 910 as one or more constraints.

Machine learned gesture model 925 can be implemented in one or more ofinternal electronics module 204, removable electronics module 206,and/or one or more remote computing devices. For example, the machinelearned gesture model 925 can be implemented in one or more remotecomputing devices coupled to capacitive touch sensor 102. Machinelearned gesture model 925 can be trained to detect a respective gesturebased on the physical constraints of capacitive touch sensor 102. Thephysical constraints may identify the order, number, spacing, etc. thatare associated with a particular sequence of non-crossing conductivelines defined by the conductive line pattern formed at capacitive touchsensor 102.

In accordance with some embodiments, gesture manager 910 can input touchdata indicative of touch input 902 and/or one or more touch featuresassociated with touch input 902 into machine learned gesture model 925.In response, machine learned gesture model 925 can output dataindicative of a similarity to one or more of the line sequences storedin reference database 915. In addition, or alternatively, the machinelearned gesture model 925 can be configured to output data indicative ofan inference or detection of a respective gesture based on a similaritybetween touch data indicative of touch input 902 and one or more of theline sequences stored in reference database 915.

Interactive object 104 and/or a computing device in communication withinteractive object 104 can initiate one or more actions based on adetected gesture. For example, the detected gesture can be associatedwith a navigation command (e.g., scrolling up/down/side, flipping apage, etc.) in one or more user interfaces coupled to interactive object104 (e.g., via the capacitive touch sensor 102, the controller, or both)and/or any of the one or more remote computing devices. In addition, oralternatively, the respective gesture can initiate one or morepredefined actions utilizing one or more computing devices, such as, forexample, dialing a number, sending a text message, playing a soundrecording etc.

FIG. 10 depicts a flowchart depicting an example method of determining agesture based on touch input in accordance with example embodiments ofthe present disclosure. One or more portion(s) of the method 1000 can becan be implemented by a computing system that includes one or morecomputing devices such as, for example, the computing systems describedwith reference to the other figures (e.g., interactive object 104,capacitive touch sensor 102, etc.). Each respective portion of themethod 1000 can be performed by any (or any combination) of one or morecomputing devices. Moreover, one or more portion(s) of the method 1000can be implemented as an algorithm on the hardware components of thedevice(s) described herein (e.g., as in FIGS. 1-3, and/or 12), forexample, to detect gestures based on touch input. FIG. 10 depictselements performed in a particular order for purposes of illustrationand discussion. Those of ordinary skill in the art, using thedisclosures provided herein, will understand that the elements of any ofthe methods discussed herein can be adapted, rearranged, expanded,omitted, combined, and/or modified in various ways without deviatingfrom the scope of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is described withreference to elements/terms described with respect to other systems andfigures for example illustrated purposes and is not meant to belimiting. One or more portions of method 1000 can be performedadditionally, or alternatively, by other systems.

At (1002), touch data is obtained. For example, touch data indicative ofa touch input 902 to capacitive touch sensor 102 can be obtained. Thetouch data can be based at least in part on a change in capacitanceassociated with two or more non-crossing conductive lines 202. Forexample, touch input 902 to capacitive touch sensor 102 can be detectedbased on a change in capacitance associated with two or morenon-crossing conductive lines 202. Touch data indicative of touch input902 can be generated in response to detecting the change in capacitanceat capacitive touch sensor 102. Touch data indicative of touch input 902can include one or more touch input features associated with touch input902. The one or more touch input features associated with touch input902 can be identified in response to detecting the touch input 902 tocapacitive touch sensor 102.

The one or more touch input features can include at least one of anorder of two or more non-crossing conductive lines 202, a number of twoor more non-crossing conductive lines 202, and/or one or more timescorresponding to one or more of two or more non-crossing conductivelines 202. For example, capacitive touch sensor 102 can include aconductive line pattern defining one or more line sequences. Each linesequence can include one or more sequence features such as an order ofnon-crossing conductive lines, a number of non-crossing conductivelines, and/or a spacing between two or more non-crossing conductivelines. The one or more touch input features can correspond to the one ormore sequence features of the one or more line sequences defined by aparticular conductive line pattern.

At (1004), reference data 920 is obtained. For example, reference data920 can be stored in reference database 915 and can be obtained byaccessing reference database 915. Reference data 920 can correspond toat least a first line sequence, a second line sequence, and/or a thirdline sequence. For example, reference data 920 can include dataindicative of one or more sequence features corresponding to at leastone of the first line sequence, second line sequence, and/or the thirdline sequence.

At (1006), the touch data is compared with reference data 920. Forexample, the touch data indicative of the touch input 902 can becompared with reference data 920 corresponding to at least a first linesequence, a second lines sequence, and/or a third line sequence. Forexample, comparing the touch data indicative of the touch input 902 withthe reference data 920 can include comparing touch input featuresassociated with the touch input 902 with reference data 920. By way ofexample, one or more touch input features can be compared with one ormore sequence features corresponding to at least one of the first linesequence, the second line sequence, and/or the third line sequence.

At (1008), a correspondence is detected between touch input 902 and thereference data 920. For example, a correspondence between touch input902 and at least one of the first line sequence, the second linesequence, and/or the third line sequence can be detected based oncomparing the touch data indicative of touch input 902 with referencedata 920. For instance, determining a correspondence between touch input902 and at least one of first line sequence, the second line sequence,and/or the third line sequence based on comparing the touch dataindicative of the touch input 902 with the reference data 920 caninclude determining one or more corresponding features.

By way of example, one or more corresponding features can be determinedbetween the touch data indicative of touch input 902 and at least one ofthe first line sequence, the second line sequence, and/or the third linesequence. The corresponding features, for example, can be indicative ofa correspondence between at least one touch input feature and at leastone sequence feature. For example, the corresponding features can beindicative of a touch input feature and at least one sequence featurewith matching criteria. The correspondence between touch input 902 andat least one of the first line sequence, the second line sequence,and/or the third line sequence can be determined based at least in parton a number of corresponding features between the touch data indicativeof touch input 902 and each of the respective line sequences.

At least the first line sequence, the second line, or the third linesequence can be identified based on the touch data indicative of thetouch input 902. For example, the first line sequence, the second linesequence, and/or the third line sequence can be identified in responseto touch input 902 to capacitive touch sensor 102. For example, thefirst line sequence, the second line sequence, and/or the third linesequence can be identified based on the detected correspondence betweenthe touch input 902 and a respective line sequence. In addition, oralternatively, the touch data indicative of touch input 902 can be inputinto a machine learned gesture model 925 previously trained via one ormore machine learning techniques using reference data 920 as one or moreconstraints. The machine learned gesture model 925 can be configured toidentify the first line sequence, the second line sequence, and/or thethird line sequence in response to touch input 902.

At (1010), a gesture corresponding to a line sequence is identifiedbased on a detected correspondence. For example, a respective gesturecan be determined corresponding to at least one of the first linesequence, the second line sequence, or the third line sequence. By wayof example, the respective gesture corresponding to the at least one ofthe first line sequence, the second line sequence, or the third linesequence can be identified based on detecting the correspondence betweentouch input 902 and at least one of the respective line sequences. Inaddition, or alternatively, machine learned gesture model 925 can beconfigured to output a detection of a gesture based on a similaritybetween the touch data indicative of touch input 902 and reference data920 associated with at least one of the first line sequence, the secondline sequence, or the third line sequence. The touch data indicative oftouch input 902 can be input into the machine learned gesture model 925to obtain a respective gesture based on touch input 902.

At (1012), one or more actions are initiated in accordance with theidentified gesture. For example, one or more computing devices caninitiate one or more actions based at least in part on the respectivegesture. By way of example, a detected gesture can be associated with anavigation command (e.g., scrolling up/down/side, flipping a page, etc.)in one or more user interfaces coupled to the interactive object 104(e.g., via the capacitive touch sensor 102, the controller, or both)and/or any of the one or more remote computing devices. In addition, oralternatively, the respective gesture can initiate one or morepredefined actions utilizing one or more computing devices, such as, forexample, dialing a number, sending a text message, playing a soundrecording etc.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart depicting an example method of manufacturing acapacitive touch sensor 102 including two or more non-crossingconductive lines 202 in accordance with example embodiments of thepresent disclosure. In the example method 1100, a non-crossingconductive line pattern can be formed by positioning conductive lineswithin a capacitive touch sensor 102.

At (1102), an object is provided. The object can include any interactiveobject 104 previously discussed with reference to FIG. 1. For example,the object can include “flexible” objects, including any type offlexible object made from fabric or a similar flexible material. Inaddition, or alternatively, an object can include “hard” objects, suchas any type of “hard” or “rigid” object made from non-flexible orsemi-flexible materials, such as plastic, metal, aluminum, and so on.Moreover, in some embodiments, the object can include any combination of“flexible” and “hard” objects such as a shoe including “flexible” fabricand a “hard” sole.

At (1104), two or more non-crossing conductive lines 202 are attached tothe object to form at least a first conductive line pattern at a firstarea of the capacitive touch sensor 102. The first conductive linepattern defines a first line sequence of two or more non-crossingconductive lines, a second line sequence of two or more non-crossingconductive lines, and a third lines sequence of two or more non-crossingconductive lines. At (1106), the first line sequence is defined relativeto a first input direction. At (1108), the second line sequence isdefined relative to a second input direction. And, at (1110), the thirdline sequence is defined relative to a third input direction.

By way of example, the two or more non-crossing conductive lines 202 canextend along a longitudinal axis to define at least the first linesequence and the second line sequence at a first area of capacitivetouch sensor 102. The first and second input directions can be along alateral axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The first inputdirection and second input direction can be opposite directions alongthe longitudinal axis.

The two or more non-crossing conductive lines 202 can extend along thelateral axis to define the third line sequence relative to a third inputdirection at the first area of capacitive touch sensor 102. The thirdinput direction can be orthogonal to the first input direction andsecond input direction. For example, the third input direction can bealong the longitudinal axis. In example embodiments, the firstconductive line pattern can also define a fourth line sequence of two ormore non-crossing conductive lines 202. The fourth line sequence can bedefined relative to a fourth input direction along the longitudinalaxis. The third input direction and the fourth input direction can beopposite directions along the longitudinal axis.

The first, second, third, and fourth input directions are described forexample purposes only. It is to be appreciated that a conductive linepattern can include any number of input directions and/or line sequencescorresponding to a respective input direction. For example, in someembodiments, a conductive line pattern can include at least a fifth linesequence associated with a fifth input direction and a sixth linesequence associated with a sixth input direction.

The conductive line pattern defines each line sequence such that firstline sequence, the second line sequence, the third line sequence, andthe fourth line sequence each include one or more respective sequencefeatures. For example, the one or more sequence features can include atleast one of an order of two or more non-crossing conductive lines 202,a number of two or more non-crossing conductive lines 202, and/or one ormore distances between two or more non-crossing conductive lines 202.For example, the one or more sequence features can include an order oftwo or more non-crossing conductive lines 202 at a portion of firstconductive line pattern corresponding to at least one line sequence.

At (1112), loose ends of two or more non-crossing conductive line(s) 202are attached to one or more electronics components. For example,conductive lines 202 may be attached directly to sensing circuitry 210.In other examples, conductive lines 202 may be attached to one or moreconnectors that connect to sensing circuitry 210. By way of example, theloose ends of conductive lines 202 can be collected and organized into aribbon to provide a pitch that matches a corresponding pitch of theconnection point of the electronic component. Non-conductive material ofthe conductive lines of the ribbon can be stripped to expose conductivewires of non-crossing conductive lines 202. After stripping thenonconductive material, the connection points of the electroniccomponent can be attached to the conductive wires. By way of example,connection points of the electronic component can be bonded to theconductive wires of a ribbon. The conductive lines proximate the ribboncan then be sealed using a UV-curable or heat-curable epoxy, and theelectronic component and the ribbon can be encapsulated to capacitivetouch sensor 102 with a water-resistant material, such as plastic orpolymer.

At (1114), reference data 920 is generated for each line sequencedefined by the two or more non-crossing conductive lines. For example,reference data 920 can include one or more sequence features associatedwith each line sequence defined by a particular conductive line pattern.By way of example, reference data 920 for a particular conductive linepattern can be generated by identifying one or more sequence featuresassociated with each line sequence defined by the particular conductiveline pattern. In example embodiments, reference data 910 can be storedin a reference database 915.

At (1116), each line sequence defined by the two or more non-crossingconductive lines 202 is associated with a respective gesture. Forexample, a respective gesture for each line sequence defined by the twoor more non-crossing conductive lines 202 can be determined based on therespective input direction associated with each line sequence. Forexample, a respective gesture can include a swipe across touchcapacitive sensor 102 in a respective input direction. The respectivegesture can be stored in reference database 915 corresponding to one ormore respective line sequences.

FIG. 12 illustrates various components of an example computing system1200 that can implement any type of client, server, and/or computingdevice described herein. In embodiments, computing system 1200 can beimplemented as one or a combination of a wired and/or wireless wearabledevice, System-on-Chip (SoC), and/or as another type of device orportion thereof. Computing system 1200 may also be associated with auser (e.g., a person) and/or an entity that operates the device suchthat a device describes logical devices that include users, software,firmware, and/or a combination of devices.

Computing system 1200 includes a communication interface 1260 thatenables wired and/or wireless communication of data 1230 (e.g., receiveddata, data that is being received, data scheduled for broadcast, datapackets of the data, etc.). Data 1230 can include configuration settingsof the device, media content stored on the device, and/or informationassociated with a user of the device. Media content stored on computingsystem 1200 can include any type of audio, video, and/or image data.Computing system 1200 includes one or more data inputs via which anytype of data, media content, and/or inputs can be received, such ashuman utterances, touch data generated by capacitive touch sensor 102,user-selectable inputs (explicit or implicit), messages, music,television media content, recorded video content, and any other type ofaudio, video, and/or image data received from any content and/or datasource.

Communication interfaces can be implemented as any one or more of aserial and/or parallel interface, a wireless interface, any type ofnetwork interface, a modem, and as any other type of communicationinterface. Communication interfaces provide a connection and/orcommunication links between computing system 1200 and a communicationnetwork by which other electronic, computing, and communication devicescommunicate data with computing system 1200.

Computing system 1200 includes one or more processors 1210 (e.g., any ofmicroprocessors, controllers, and the like), which process variouscomputer-executable instructions to control the operation of computingsystem 1200 and to enable techniques for, or in which can be embodied,by interactive objects, such as interactive object 104. Alternatively,or in addition, computing system 1200 can be implemented with any one orcombination of hardware, firmware, or fixed logic circuitry that isimplemented in connection with processing and control circuits. Althoughnot shown, computing system 1200 can include a system bus or datatransfer system that couples the various components within the device. Asystem bus can include any one or combination of different busstructures, such as a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus,a universal serial bus, and/or a processor or local bus that utilizesany of a variety of bus architectures.

Computing system 1200 also includes memory 1220 which may includecomputer-readable media, such as one or more memory devices that enablepersistent and/or non-transitory data storage (i.e., in contrast to meresignal transmission), examples of which include random access memory(RAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., any one or more of a read-only memory(ROM), flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM, etc.), and a disk storage device. Adisk storage device may be implemented as any type of magnetic oroptical storage device, such as a hard disk drive, a recordable and/orrewriteable compact disc (CD), any type of a digital versatile disc(DVD), and the like. Memory 1220 may also include a mass storage mediadevice of computing system 1200.

Computer-readable media provides data storage mechanisms to store devicedata, as well as computer-readable instructions 1240 which can implementvarious device applications and any other types of information and/ordata related to operational aspects of computing system 1200. Forexample, an operating system can be maintained as a computer applicationwith computer-readable media and executed on processors 1210. Deviceapplications may include a device manager, such as any form of a controlapplication, software application, signal-processing and control module,code that is native to a particular device, a hardware abstraction layerfor a particular device, and so on.

Memory 1220 may also include a gesture manager 1250. Gesture manager1250 is capable of interacting with applications through capacitivetouch sensor 102 to activate various functionalities associated withcomputing device 106 and/or applications through touch input (e.g.,gestures) received by interactive object 104. Gesture manager 1250 maybe implemented at a computing device 106 that is local to interactiveobject 104, or remote from interactive object 104.

The technology discussed herein makes reference to servers, databases,software applications, and other computer-based systems, as well asactions taken and information sent to and from such systems. One ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that the inherent flexibilityof computer-based systems allows for a great variety of possibleconfigurations, combinations, and divisions of tasks and functionalitybetween and among components. For instance, server processes discussedherein may be implemented using a single server or multiple serversworking in combination. Databases and applications may be implemented ona single system or distributed across multiple systems. Distributedcomponents may operate sequentially or in parallel.

While the present subject matter has been described in detail withrespect to specific example embodiments thereof, it will be appreciatedthat those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of theforegoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, andequivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the presentdisclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, andthe subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of suchmodifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matteras would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computing system, comprising: a capacitivetouch sensor comprising two or more non-crossing conductive lines thatform at least a first conductive line pattern at at least a first areaof the capacitive touch sensor, wherein the first conductive linepattern comprises a first line sequence of the two or more non-crossingconductive lines relative to a first input direction, a second linesequence of the two or more non-crossing conductive lines relative to asecond input direction, and a third line sequence of the two or morenon-crossing conductive lines relative to a third input direction; oneor more computer-readable media that store instructions that, whenexecuted by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors toperform operations, the operations comprising: obtaining touch dataindicative of a touch input to the capacitive touch sensor, the touchdata being based at least in part on a change in capacitance associatedwith the two or more non-crossing conductive lines; identifying at leastone of the first line sequence, the second line sequence, or the thirdline sequence based on the touch data; and determining a respectivegesture corresponding to at least one of the first line sequence, thesecond line sequence, or the third line sequence.
 2. The computingsystem of claim 1, wherein the two or more non-crossing conductive linesextend in at least a first direction to define at least the first linesequence and the second line sequence at the first area of thecapacitive touch sensor.
 3. The computing system of claim 2, wherein thetwo or more non-crossing conductive lines extend in at least a seconddirection to define at least a third line sequence at the first area ofthe capacitive touch sensor.
 4. The computing system of claim 1, whereinthe first input direction and the second input direction are oppositedirections along a common axis.
 5. The computing system of claim 1,wherein the third input direction is orthogonal to the first inputdirection and the second input direction.
 6. The computing system ofclaim 1, wherein the first conductive line pattern comprises a fourthline sequence of the two or more non-crossing conductive lines relativeto a fourth input direction.
 7. The computing system of claim 6, whereinthe third input direction and the fourth input direction are oppositedirections along a common axis.
 8. The computing system of claim 1,wherein the first line sequence, the second line sequence, and the thirdline sequence each comprise one or more sequence features.
 9. Thecomputing system of claim 8, wherein the one or more sequence featurescomprise at least one of an order of the two or more non-crossingconductive lines, a number of the two or more non-crossing conductivelines, or one or more distances between the two or more non-crossingconductive lines.
 10. The computing system of claim 9, wherein the oneor more sequence features comprise an order of the two or morenon-crossing conductive lines at a portion of the first conductive linepattern corresponding to at least one line sequence.
 11. Acomputer-implemented method of determining a user gesture, comprising:obtaining, by one or more computing devices, data indicative of a touchinput to a capacitive touch sensor, the capacitive touch sensorcomprising two or more non-crossing conductive lines forming at least afirst line sequence, a second line sequence, and a third line sequenceat a first area of the capacitive touch sensor; comparing, by the one ormore computing devices, the data indicative of the touch input withreference data corresponding to the first line sequence, the second linesequence, and the third line sequence; detecting, by the one or morecomputing devices, a correspondence between the touch input and at leastone of the first line sequence, the second line sequence, or the thirdline sequence based on comparing the data indicative of the touch inputwith the reference data; identifying, by the one or more computingdevices, a respective gesture corresponding to the at least one of thefirst line sequence, the second line sequence, or the third linesequence based on detecting the correspondence; and initiating, by theone or more computing devices, one or more actions based at least inpart on the respective gesture.
 12. The computer implemented method ofclaim 11, further comprising: identifying, by the one or more computingdevices, one or more touch input features associated with the touchinput.
 13. The computer implemented method of claim 12, wherein the oneor more touch input features comprise at least one of an order of thetwo or more non-crossing conductive lines, a number of the two or morenon-crossing conductive lines, and one or more times corresponding toone or more of the two or more non-crossing conductive lines.
 14. Thecomputer implemented method of claim 11, wherein the reference datacomprises data indicative of one or more sequence features correspondingto the at least one of the first line sequence, the second linesequence, or the third line sequence.
 15. The computer implementedmethod of claim 12, wherein comparing the touch input with the referencedata comprises: comparing, by the one or more computing devices, one ormore touch input features with one or more sequence featurescorresponding to the at least one of the first line sequence, the secondline sequence, or the third line sequence
 16. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 15, wherein determining a correspondence between thetouch input and the at least one of the first line sequence, the secondline sequence, or the third line sequence based on comparing the dataindicative of the touch input with the reference data comprises:determining, by the one or more computing devices, one or morecorresponding features between the data indicative of the touch inputand the at least one of the first line sequence, the second linesequence, or the third line sequence, the corresponding featuresindicative of a correspondence between at least one touch input featureand at least one sequence feature; and determining, by the one or morecomputing devices, the correspondence between the touch input and atleast one of the first line sequence, the second line sequence, or thethird line sequence based, at least in part, on a number ofcorresponding features between the data indicative of the touch inputand each of the respective line sequences.
 17. A computing devicecomprising: one or more processors; one or more communication interfacescommunicatively coupled to at least one capacitive touch sensorcomprising two or more non-crossing conductive lines, the two or morenon-crossing conductive lines forming at least a first line sequence, asecond line sequence, and a third line sequence at a first area of theat least one capacitive touch sensor; and one or more computer-readablemedia that store instructions that, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations, theoperations comprising: detecting touch input to the capacitive touchsensor based on a change in capacitance associated with the two or morenon-crossing conductive lines; identifying at least one of the firstline sequence, the second line sequence, or the third line sequence inresponse to the touch input to the capacitive touch sensor; determininga respective gesture corresponding to at least one of the first linesequence, the second line sequence, or the third line sequence; andinitiating one or more actions based at least in part on the respectivegesture.
 18. The computing device of claim 17, further comprising areference database comprising reference data indicative of one or moresequence features corresponding to the at least one of the first linesequence, the second line sequence, or the third line sequence.
 19. Thecomputing device of claim 18, wherein the identifying at least one ofthe first line sequence, the second line sequence, or the third linesequence in response to the touch input to the capacitive touch sensorcomprises: obtaining data indicative of the touch input to thecapacitive touch sensor; inputting the data indicative of the touchinput into a machine learned gesture model configured to detect thefirst line sequence, the second line sequence, or the third linesequence in response to the touch input, the machine learned gesturemodel previously trained via one or more machine learning techniquesusing the reference data as one or more constraints.
 20. The computingdevice of claim 19, wherein the machine learned gesture model isconfigured to output a detection of a gesture based on a similaritybetween the data indicative of the touch input and reference dataassociated with the at least one of the first line sequence, the secondline sequence, or the third line sequence.